William and Mary is an ITV romantic drama set in London, starring Martin Clunes as William Shawcross, an undertaker, and Julie Graham as Mary Gilcrest, a midwife. Its title refers to its two principal characters and is a cultural reference to the reign of the British monarchs William III and Mary II. It was shown in three six-part series between 23 March 2003 and 22 May 2005. It was also screened in Australia on 7TWO.

Main cast Martin Clunes - William Shawcross (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Julie Graham - Mary Gilcrest (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Cheryl Campbell - Molly Gilcrest Straud (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Michael Begley - Rick Straud (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Claire Hackett - Doris (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Peta Cornish - Kate Shawcross (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Ricci McLeod - Brendan Gilcrest (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Dominick Baron - Terence Gilcrest (18 episodes, 2003–2005) Georgina Terry - Julia Shawcross (18 episodes, 2003–2005) James Greene - Arnold McKinnon (17 episodes, 2003–2005) June Watson - Mrs. Ball (16 episodes, 2003–2005) Catherine Terris - Jane Spalding (15 episodes, 2003–2005) David Kennedy - Billy Two Hats (14 episodes, 2003–2005) The Emerald Dogs - The Band (11 episodes, 2003–2005) Paterson Joseph - Reuben (10 episodes, 2003–2005) Max and Harvey Mills as Thomas (6 episodes, 2005) Peter Pacey - Nicholas (3 episodes, 2003–2004)

Plot

The story revolves around William Shawcross and Mary Gilcrest, along with William's two daughters Kate and Julia, Mary's two sons Brendan and Terence, William’s business associates Arnold and Jane, his housekeeper Mrs Ball, his bandleader Billy Two Hats, his cousin and solicitor Nicholas, Mary’s mother Molly, her ex husband Reuben, her ex boyfriend Rick, and her midwife associate Doris. William is an undertaker and Mary a midwife; according to Mary, they “complete the circle … I see them into the world and you see them out”. Subplots regularly involve their work with clients. William is also an avid musician, singing in a choir and playing in a band, and music figures prominently in the story and the production.

All episodes are written by Mick Ford and produced by Trevor Hopkins.

Episodes

Series 1 (2003)

Series 2 (2004)

Series 3 (2005)

Reception Ratings Series Episode Air date Viewers Rank Series 1 1 23 March 2003 8,620,000 13 2 30 March 2003 8,590,000 14 3 6 April 2003 7,950,000 14 4 13 April 2003 8,010,000 15 5 20 April 2003 7,500,000 15 6 27 April 2003 9,560,000 9Series 2 1 7 March 2004 9,060,000 13 2 14 March 2004 8,479,000 16 3 21 March 2004 8,184,000 15 4 28 March 2004 8,042,000 14 5 4 April 2004 8,544,000 12 6 11 April 2004 8,400,000 11Series 3 1 17 April 2005 7,609,000 13 2 24 April 2005 7,422,000 15 3 1 May 2005 6,194,000 16 4 8 May 2005 6,311,000 16 5 15 May 2005 6,650,000 14 6 22 May 2005 7,505,000 13

Awards and nominations BAFTA Awards 2004 Nominated, BAFTA TV Award Best Drama Series Trevor Hopkins, Stuart Orme, Mick Ford

British Comedy Awards 2003 Nominated, British Comedy Award Best TV Comedy Actor Martin Clunes Also for The Booze Cruise.

National Television Awards, UK 2005 Nominated, National Television Award Most Popular Actor Martin Clunes Also for Doc Martin

2003 Nominated, National Television Award Most Popular Actor Martin Clunes

DVD releases William and Mary has been released in its entirety on DVD in individual and complete sets. In the United States and Canada (Region 1), the series was never released in any singular series sets, however it was released in a set comprising the first two series, via Image Entertainment, before a complete collection set was made available from Acorn Media. In the UK (Region 2), it was initially released by VCI (Video Collection International) for its first series, before going out-of-print, and the rights were subsequently acquired by ITV DVD who re-released the first series, alongside the debut release of the second series in both individual sets and a collected box set. This was followed by the release of the third series and the complete series the following month. In Australia and New Zealand (Region 4), distribution rights were initially held by Shock Records, in which they released all three series individually and in a complete collection set. All series, including the complete series box set, was later made available by Roadshow Entertainment. As of 2024, distribution rights are held by Madman Entertainment, who have re-released the complete series set, but no individual sets.

SeriesRelease date Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 Series 1 15 March 2004 3 December 2007 Series 2 9 May 2005 1 March 2008 Series 1 & 2 17 July 2007 9 May 2005 Series 3 6 June 2005 31 May 2008 Series 1–3 25 March 2014 6 June 2005 25 September 2009 Series 1 9 May 2005 30 January 2013 Series 2 30 January 2013 Series 3 6 March 2013 Series 1–3 3 April 20133 January 2024

References

External links

Full cast